A medium-sized bat with rusty-red fur. Roosts in trees rather than caves.

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 9–13 cm; wingspan 28–34 cm
Weight9–17 g
LifespanWild 10–12 years
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae

§ Encyclopedia

The eastern red bat is a species of microbat in the family Vespertilionidae. Eastern red bats are widespread across eastern North America, with additional records in Bermuda.

Source: Wikipedia — Eastern red bat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium brown to red-brown bat; pale tips on belly fur (giving frosted appearance).

Similar species. Hoary Bat (frosted appearance; larger). Other Lasiurus species.

Voice. Ultrasonic echolocation.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Flying insects (moths primary).

Behavior. Migratory tree-roosting bat of eastern North America. Suffers high mortality at wind turbines.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Forests, suburban areas

§ Threats

Wind turbine strikes, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern red bat is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support smart wind energy siting.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Bat Conservation International
  • USGS National Wildlife Health Center
  • IUCN Red List 2018